Neymar da Silva Santos Junior (born Feb 5, 1992), nicknamed ‘Juninho’, is a Brazilian professional football player. He plays forward for Paris Saint-Germain (French Club) and the Brazilian National team. Brazil is known to have produced some of the best players, the game of football has ever seen. From the legendary Pele, the sleek and skilful Ronaldo to the energetic and dynamic Ronaldinho, Brazil got it all. Well, the aye days of these acts are long gone, but Brazil still has one of the best in the game proving his worth to the world showing what sort of new-age player he is. In our Neymar Jr. biography facts, childhood, career and personal life, we tell you all that you need to know about the star as he sets the pace of football in the 21st century.

Other highlights includes Neymar Jr’s accomplishments, highlights and awards.

Neymar Jr Childhood and Early Life

Neymar Jr Childhood Photo with his parents

Neymar da Silva Santos Junior was born on February 5, 1992, to his father, Neymar Santos Sr and his mother, Nadine Santos at Mogi das Cruzes, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Neymar Jr. passion for football probably was ignited by his father who is an ex-footballer, his father plays a prominent role in Neymar Jr’s life, managing his finances as well as offering practical advice. Neymar was a fan of futsal as well as football at a tender age. Neymar Jr. relocated to Sao Vicente in 2003. At Sao Vincente, Neymar began playing youth football with Portuguesa Santista before moving on to Santos FC. Neymar had a successful run at Santos which saw his paycheck increase, thus improving his family’s standard of living. When he turned 17, Neymar Jr. signed his first professional contract. He was promoted to Santos FC first team and signed his first sponsorship deal.

Neymar Jr Club Career

Santos (2003–2013)

Neymar began playing for Santos youth academy in 2003 when he was 11.

Neymar Playing for Santos FC Youth Academy

When he turned 14, Neymar travelled to Spain to play for Madrid Youth team during the time players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham and lot more played for the team, he finally made his professional début for Santos at age 17, in a game against Oeste where he was brought in the last thirty minutes of the game. Neymar scored 14 goals in his début season for Santos first team, an impressive one for a 17-year old. Neymar was a sensation for the Brazilian league winning lots of awards, including the 2011 Puskas Award, 2011 South American Footballer of the Year, he also was a finalist in the 2012 Puskas Award and also defended his South American Footballer of the Year Award, claiming it for a second consecutive time in 2012.

Neymar Jr in action for Santos FC

FC Barcelona (2013–2017)

Neymar signed a five-year deal with Barcelona, neither the transfer fee nor the personal terms of the deal were revealed. Neymar was officially unveiled on June 3, 2013, by Barcelona after passing a medical test and signing the contract which was set to keep him at Camp Nou until June 2018. Neymar was present in Barcelona home ground to a record turnout of 56,500 fans for a Brazilian player. Barcelona club vice-president indicated that Neymar transfer fee was 57.1 million euros and his release clause set at 190 million euros.

Neymar’s transfer to Camp Nou brought a lot of excitement, but it also had some challenges attached in January 2014, the prosecutor’s office in Madrid, began investigations into the amount paid by Barcelona for Neymar’s transfer. Documents submitted to authorities indicated contradictory details. The investigation led to the resignation of club’s president on the 23rd of January 2014. The next day, it was revealed that Barcelona paid 86.2 million euros for Neymar’s transfer. Neymar’s parent received 40 million euros from the transfer fee. Barcelona was later charged with tax fraud. Aside from that, Neymar had a successful campaign with Barcelona, forging an attacking trio with teammates Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi, dubbed “MSN” an acronym for Messi, Suarez and Neymar.

During his time with Barcelona, Neymar emerged as one of the three finalists for the 2015 FIFA Ballon d’Or alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, which he came third. The attacking trio Neymar forge with his teammates proved to be beneficial to Barcelona as well as Neymar’s career as the trio finished 2015 with season with 122 goals and surpassed that in their 2016 campaign with 131 goals.

Neymar Jr playing for FC Barcelona

PSG (2017–present)

On August 3, 2017, Neymar shocked the world with his 222 million euros transfer to French giants Paris Saint-Germain. The transfer had a string of issues as Barcelona requested payment of club bonuses, damages worth 8.5 million euros as well as 10% arrears. PSG was requested to pay the aforementioned fees. Despite all this Neymar debuted for PSG and continued to continue in his successful form. He forged a new attacking trio with teammates Kylian Mbappe and Edison Cavani. Neymar had continued to increase his worth with wonderful performances.

Neymar Jr National Team Career

Despite calls for Neymar to be included in the 2010 World Cup squad due to his performances for the U-17 team at the 2009 U-17 World Cup, he was omitted. He, however, made his début for the Brazil Senior team in July, in a friendly match against the United State.

In the 2014 World Cup on home soil, Neymar was expected to lead the Brazilian team to the tournament victory, but that was cut short after he was injured in a quarterfinal match against Colombia. Brazil went on to be knocked out of the tournament. But Neymar received the bronze boot for being the third highest goal scorer. He was also shortlisted in the 10-man list for FIFA’s Golden Ball award. Neymar was also named to the World Cup All Star XI.

After being enlisted to be part of the three-over 23 players in the Brazilian team to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro summer Olympics, Neymar led Brazil to Olympic Gold on home soil. Despite his success, Neymar was criticized for his behaviour on and off the pitch by ex-brazil players. He was also described as not worthy of the team’s captaincy. After the tournament, Neymar renounced his captaincy.

Neymar Jr playing for Brazil National Football Team at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia

In the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, Neymar was shortlisted as one of the players. Neymar was heavily criticized for play-acting and continual falling, BBC sport wrote with regard Neymar “despite his good performance, there is still a sense that he remains widely unpopular among neutrals due to his petulance and the play-acting”. Brazilian newspaper O’Globo wrote “Neymar has charmed Brazil, but annoyed the world” Brazil were eliminated out of the world cup in the quarter-finals.

Neymar Jr Personal Life

Neymar Jr and his Son Davi Lucca

Neymar has a son, Davi Lucca with his ex-girlfriend Carolina Dantas.

He also has a close relationship with his sister Rafaella Beckran, tattooing her face on his arm, while she tattooed his eyes on her arm. Neymar is a Christian.

He pays the 10% tithes and calls Kaka his religious role model.

He organizes a charity match with Brazilian footballer Nene in Nene’s hometown of Jundiai, to raise food for needy families.

Neymar began signing sponsorships deals at the age of 17. In March 2011, he signed an 11-year contract with American sportswear company Nike. Neymar has signed sponsorships deals with Volkswagen, Unilever, Santander, Lupo and many more.

In March 2011, Neymar was paid $2-4 million by Panasonic for his services.

Neymar is ranked the third highest paid footballer in 2018, with an earning of $95 million.

He stared in 2014 adverts for Beats with global stars, Thierry Henry and Luis Suarez.

He appeared as himself in the 2016 movie xXx: Return of Xander Cage.

Neymar was included in Time magazine’s list of influential personalities in April 2017.

Neymar Jr Achievements and Awards

Tournaments Won

Supercopa (2013/14)

Copa del Rey (14/15, 15/16, 16/17)

Coupe de la Ligue (17/18)

Coupe de France (17/18)

Ligue 1 (17/18)

Brazilian Cup (2010)

FIFA Club World Cup (2012, 2015)

Confederation Cup (2013)

Under-20 South American Championship Winner (2011)

UEFA Supercup (2015/16)

Olympic gold (2016)

Recopa Sudamericana (2011/12)

Copa Libertadores (2010/11)

Champions League Winner (2014/15)

Laliga (2014/15, 2015/16)

UEFA Champions League (2014/15)

Individual Awards

UEFA Champions League Top Goalscorer (2015)

South America Footballer of the Year (2011, 2012)

Confederation Cup Golden Ball (2013)

Brazil Footballer of the Year (2011)

Facts Check

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